Paula Radcliffe Talks Of Tough Year Before Berlin

The marathon world-record holder has struggled with injury.

Britain’s Paula Radcliffe is currently in Berlin, Germany. The reason: to take part in this weekend’s marathon and qualify for the Olympics. In the race, she will be squaring off against Germany’s top marathoner, Irinia Mikitenko.

It’s been almost exactly a year since Radcliffe gave birth to her second son, Raphael. Since then, she has struggled with persistent back injury as well as postpartum hyperthyroidism.

She recently sat down with Runner’s World to talk about her upcoming race.

“I  just want to get in and enjoy the race and run well,” she said, keeping expectations low. “I honestly have no exact time goal, I just want to run how I feel.”

Regarding what she has learned from all her injuries, Radcliffe said she was not sure. “Everyone knows the key is to get into great shape while avoiding injury, but it is a lot easier said than done!” she said. “I think the key is also to get a little bit of luck in terms of being healthy on that start line. It is all about being fully healthy so that you can go out and race 100 percent.”

For More: Runner’s World